Crafting a strong resume is essential for anyone pursuing a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). A well-crafted CNA resume can be the difference between landing your dream job and missing out on opportunities. To write an effective CNA resume, it’s crucial to understand the role of a CNA and what employers are looking for. CNAs are responsible for providing basic care to patients, often in settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities. Key responsibilities include assisting with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and feeding patients, monitoring vital signs, and reporting any changes in patient conditions to the nursing staff.
In addition to these tasks, CNAs need strong interpersonal skills. They often serve as the primary point of contact between patients and the rest of the healthcare team, so effective communication is essential. Other important skills include compassion, attention to detail, and the ability to work well under pressure.
Highlighting your relevant experience and qualifications on your resume is crucial. Employers want to see that you not only understand the technical aspects of the job but also possess the soft skills necessary to provide excellent patient care. Be sure to showcase your hands-on experience, certifications, and any special training you have received. This will demonstrate your readiness and suitability for the role, making you a more attractive candidate.
You might also be interested in these sample resumes:
CNA resume example (Word version)
This resume highlights the applicant’s relevant experience, certifications, and skills, presenting a clear and compelling picture of her qualifications for a CNA position.
Download resume example (.docx)
Sample CNA resume
Title
Phone Number | Email Address | City, State
Professional Summary
Compassionate and dedicated Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) with over 5 years of experience providing high-quality patient care in hospital and long-term care settings. Skilled in assisting with daily living activities, monitoring vital signs, and ensuring patient comfort. Certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) and known for excellent communication and teamwork abilities. Passionate about improving patient outcomes and eager to bring my expertise to [Name of Facility].
Work Experience
Certified Nursing Assistant
St. Mary’s Hospital, New York, NY
June 20XX – Present
- Provided daily care for up to 20 patients, including bathing, feeding, and dressing.
- Monitored and recorded vital signs, reporting any changes to the nursing staff.
- Assisted with mobility and physical therapy exercises.
- Implemented a new patient care tracking system that improved reporting accuracy by 20%.
- Received “Employee of the Month” award for exceptional patient care and teamwork.
Certified Nursing Assistant
Sunrise Senior Living, Brooklyn, NY
January 20XX – May 20XX
- Assisted residents with activities of daily living, ensuring comfort and safety.
- Managed care for 15-18 residents per shift, including medication administration and wound care.
- Conducted regular health checks and documented findings in patient records.
- Provided emotional support and companionship to residents, fostering a caring environment.
- Trained 5 new CNAs on facility protocols and patient care standards.
Education
Certified Nursing Assistant Program
Cityville Community College, Cityville, ST
Graduated: December 20XX
High School Diploma
Cityville High School, Cityville, ST
Graduated: June 20XX
Certifications and Licenses
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), State of [State], Expires: 20XX
- Basic Life Support (BLS), American Heart Association, Expires: 20XX
- CPR Certification, American Red Cross, Expires: 20XX
Additional Information
- Fluent in Spanish and English
- Member of the National Association of Health Care Assistants (NAHCA)
- Volunteer at Cityville Free Clinic, providing healthcare support to underserved populations
How to write a captivating CNA resume summary
Your resume summary is one of the first things employers see, so it needs to grab their attention immediately. A well-written summary can set the tone for the rest of your resume, encouraging hiring managers to read further. Here’s how to write a captivating CNA resume summary:
- Start strong: Begin with a powerful opening sentence that highlights your key qualifications. Use active voice to make your statements direct and engaging.
- Showcase your experience: Mention your years of experience as a CNA and the types of healthcare settings you’ve worked in. This provides context and demonstrates your familiarity with different environments.
- Highlight key skills: Emphasize the most relevant skills that make you a strong candidate, such as patient care, communication, and teamwork.
- Tailor to the job: Customize your summary to align with the specific job you’re applying for. Use keywords from the job description to make your resume more appealing to applicant tracking systems (ATS).
“Experienced Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) with 5+ years in diverse healthcare environments, including hospitals and long-term care facilities. Proficient in delivering compassionate patient care, managing daily living activities, and performing accurate vital sign monitoring. Adept at maintaining patient safety and comfort, with certifications in Basic Life Support (BLS) and CPR. Recognized for strong communication skills and a collaborative approach to team-based care. Committed to enhancing patient well-being and excited to contribute to the dedicated team at [Name of Facility].”
Bonus tips for writing an effective summary
- Be concise: Keep your summary to 3-4 sentences. You want to provide enough information to intrigue the reader without overwhelming them.
- Use specific examples: If possible, include specific achievements or responsibilities, such as “skilled in managing up to 20 patients per shift.”
- Focus on value: Highlight what makes you a valuable addition to the healthcare team. Think about what you bring to the table that others might not.
How to write an effective CNA work history section
Here’s how to create an effective work history section that highlights your skills and accomplishments clearly and concisely.
List your jobs in reverse chronological order
- Start with your most recent position and work backwards. This helps employers see your most recent experience first.
Include key details for each job
- For each position, include the job title, name of the facility, location, and dates of employment.
Use bullet points to describe responsibilities and achievements
- Bullet points make it easy to read and understand your duties and accomplishments.
- Start each bullet point with a strong action verb like “provided,” “assisted,” “monitored,” or “trained.” to convey your responsibilities clearly and dynamically.
Highlight relevant skills and responsibilities
- Focus on the tasks most relevant to the CNA role, such as patient care, monitoring vital signs, and assisting with daily activities.
Showcase specific achievements
- Highlight any specific achievements or recognitions you received in your roles. This can include improvements in patient care, efficiency, or teamwork.
- Use numbers to provide context and show the impact of your work.
Certified Nursing Assistant, Mercy General Hospital, New York, NY
June 2020 – Present
- Provided direct patient care to 18-22 patients per shift, maintaining high standards of hygiene and safety.
- Facilitated patient mobility and rehabilitation exercises, enhancing recovery and mobility outcomes.
- Conducted regular monitoring of vital signs, accurately documenting results and communicating critical changes to nursing staff.
- Assisted with personal care tasks, including bathing, dressing, and feeding, ensuring patient dignity and comfort.
- Played a key role in onboarding and training 7 new CNAs, ensuring adherence to hospital protocols and best practices.
- Spearheaded a quality improvement project that streamlined patient record-keeping, reducing errors by 25%.
- Awarded “Caregiver of the Month” for outstanding dedication to patient care and teamwork.
Bonus tips for writing an effective work history section
- Be Concise and Specific: Avoid lengthy descriptions. Focus on what you did and the impact it had.
- Tailor to the Job Description: Highlight experiences and skills that match the job you’re applying for. Use keywords from the job listing.
- Keep it Relevant: Include only the most relevant positions. If you have a long work history, focus on the last 10-15 years.
Skills to add on your CAN resume
These skills cover the core competencies needed for a CNA position, ensuring you highlight your ability to provide high-quality patient care and work effectively within a healthcare team. Tailor the list to match the specific requirements and preferences stated in the job posting you are applying for.
- Patient Care
- Vital Signs Monitoring
- Infection Control
- Mobility Assistance
- Bathing and Hygiene
- Feeding Assistance
- Dressing Wounds
- Medical Documentation
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Empathy
- Time Management
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- CPR Certification
- Patient Safety
- Medication Administration
- Emotional Support
- Phlebotomy
- Medical Terminology
- Physical Therapy Assistance
Choose a resume layout that stands out
Here are a few free downloadable resume templates for Word that work great for CNAs, as well as some general Google Docs resume templates.

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